The bill would mandate that county jails divert people with mental health and substance abuse issues toward treatment, make it easier for defendants with a mental illness or intellectual disability to receive a personal bond and require that independent law enforcement agencies investigate jail deaths.
85th Legislative Session
Posted in
Economy
Texas House passes measure to increase “Buy America” provisions
Senate Bill 1289 by state Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, would increase “Buy America” provisions already in effect for the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Water Development Board to all state agencies.
Posted in
Economy
Senator strips “sex” amendment from bill backed by Uber and Lyft
The Senate sponsor of a bill meant to create statewide regulations for ride-hailing companies said Thursday he had stripped a controversial amendment that would define “sex” as “the physical condition of being male or female.”
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Bill to enforce reporting of police shootings stumbles, then passes
After failing by one vote on the House floor Wednesday night, a bill to penalize law enforcement agencies that don’t report police shootings to the state was reconsidered and passed.
Posted in
State Government
Texans want property tax relief, but remade bill still draws opposition
The House substitute of controversial Senate Bill 2 was left pending after state Rep. Dennis Bonnen railed against local leaders still unhappy with changes to the property tax bill.
Posted in
Public Education
For special ed advocates, one bill down and many more on the line
With a major bill for students with disabilities flying to the governor’s desk, special education advocates are looking ahead to smaller bills that might not survive the upcoming deadlines for legislation to pass.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Rep. Dutton: If “raise the age” bill dies in Senate, I’ll kill Senate bills
As a House bill that would raise the age of criminal responsibility from 17 to 18 languishes in the Senate in the final weeks of the legislative session, the bill’s author promises “a funeral” for Senate bills if his bill dies.
Posted in
Health care
House backs measure barring mandatory vaccines for foster children
Discussion over a bill that would improve the state’s Child Protective Services agency turned into a heated debate over vaccines — and whether they should be required for children placed in foster care.
Posted in
Health care
House OKs bill allowing adoption agencies to reject parents on religious grounds
Faith-based adoption agencies in Texas would be able to reject prospective parents on religious grounds under a bill the state House approved Tuesday over objections from Democratic lawmakers.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Houston Police Chief ready to reluctantly enforce “sanctuary” law
Once Senate Bill 4 goes into effect on Sept. 1, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said he’s prepared to lead a police force that allows officers to inquire about the immigration status of people they detain.
